With Christmas Eve upon us I thought I'd offer my annual post on the origins of the Christmas Star (per astronomy) and thus offering thoughts on when he was really born. Most of us know that Christ was not really born in December or the year zero. A number of people have tried to look first to the Bible for clues about what the star did and when, then they went outside the … [Read more...] about Finding The Christmas Star
Christmas Eve Treat: Two Legends In a Christmas Shopping Comedy Show
For the second year we're posting the famous -- and way ahead of its time -- Jack Benny Christmas program aired in 1960 on CBS. It contains two LEGENDS: Jack Benny, whose comedy timing, glances at the audience (which prolonged the laughs by the way) and cheapskate character helped create the situation comedy on radio and successfully dominated TV ratings for more than a decade. … [Read more...] about Christmas Eve Treat: Two Legends In a Christmas Shopping Comedy Show
We Need a Little Christmas
WHOEVER SAID that the only REALLY talented people are stars. Here's a really talented person singing a Christmasy song (by Jerry Herman from "Mame") on You Tube. Perfect for Christmas or any day (her voice and the song): And if you don't know the lyrics, here's the cast of Glee singing it with Lyrics on the TMV screen: … [Read more...] about We Need a Little Christmas
It’s Now Christmas Eve: The BEST to all TMV Readers
It's now Christmas Eve. And all of us here at TMV wish all of our readers the VERY best holiday and family time. Even when times may be trying, family can make it feel better -- and our heartfelt best wishes are with each and every one of them. Here's a sing along song 4 U (complete with lyrics): … [Read more...] about It’s Now Christmas Eve: The BEST to all TMV Readers
Christmas Has Become Better Every Year (Guest Voice)
Christmas Has Become Better Every Year by Tom Purcell I still wish I hadn't peeked in the attic that year. It was Christmas 1972 and I was 10. It was the first year when I no longer believed in Santa Claus. Until that point, Christmas had been a magical time for me. A few weeks after Thanksgiving, I would join with my father to pick out our tree. He'd wear his … [Read more...] about Christmas Has Become Better Every Year (Guest Voice)
An ‘Assange’ On Both Your Houses!: Novaya Gazeta, Russia
Those who have criticized WikiLeaks and its founder for targeting U.S. misdeeds and not Russia's or China's are about to get their wish. And in terms of Russian politics, this is sure to be a Battle Royal. That's because Russia's Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper partly owned by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, has just entered into a partnership with WikiLeaks. And … [Read more...] about An ‘Assange’ On Both Your Houses!: Novaya Gazeta, Russia
Chavez Gets New Powers
Looks like Hugo will pretty much be able to do what he wants. Among the new powers are an ability to rule by decree and the power to ban people from writing anything on the Internet that: "foments anxiety or disturbs public order," "incites or promotes disobedience of the current legal order," or "incites or promotes hatred or intolerance." So pretty much he can ban any … [Read more...] about Chavez Gets New Powers
Happy Christmas To All
Since TMV is political I thought a governmental Christmas wish would be fitting The wonderful show Yes Minister offered this brilliant comedy bit for us all. "I wonder if I might crave your momentary indulgence in order to discharge a by no means disagreeable obligation which has, over the years, become more or less established practice in government service as we … [Read more...] about Happy Christmas To All
A Columnist Comments On Those Who Comment Nom De Plume
In another venue in which I dabble, the subject of anonymous commenters -- those who cloak themselves behind fictitious names -- came up. One of my group called these people cowards. I wouldn't go quite that far. I am old newspaper school. No Letter to the Editor was ever published without someone verifying the author's name, address and telephone number. There were no … [Read more...] about A Columnist Comments On Those Who Comment Nom De Plume
The Right Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas all through a House Not a Speaker was stirring, not even the souse; The Census was hung by the chimney with care, In the hopes that 2012 would soon be there; The Repubs were nestled all smug in their beds. Visions of Tea Party plums danced in their heads; And DeMint in his 'kerchief and Coburn in his cap Tried to settle … [Read more...] about The Right Before Christmas
Quote of the Day: On Barack Obama’s “Comeback” and its Impact on GOP Power
Our political Quote of the Day comes from columnist Charles Kraiuthammer who looks at Barack Obama's stringo of victories in the lame duck Congress and writes: The great liberal ascendancy of 2008, destined to last 40 years (predicted James Carville), lasted less than two. Yet, the great Republican ascendancy of 2010 lasted less than two months. Republicans will enter the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Barack Obama’s “Comeback” and its Impact on GOP Power
Give To The Troops
I posted earlier this month about donating to the USO and here is another group well worth your consideration. Hero Box.org helps to send custom boxes to our men and women in the field. Please consider helping out. They're fighting for you after all. … [Read more...] about Give To The Troops
Does “Pro-Life” Include a Mother’s Life?
Back in May, I wrote here at TMV about a Roman Catholic nun who was excommunicated for approving an abortion that was necessary to save the life of the mother. … [Read more...] about Does “Pro-Life” Include a Mother’s Life?
The US Should Give More Foreign Aid, Poll Suggest Americans Would Go For That
[What follows is only my personal opinion. I don't claim my authority as a pastor for it. It's just me and, as always, I could be completely wrong.] The daily headlines suggest that the United States and all western democracies are, in the days ahead, facing not fewer but more threats from terrorists--whether they're violent Islamists or, as in the case of those thought … [Read more...] about The US Should Give More Foreign Aid, Poll Suggest Americans Would Go For That
U.S. Cables Show Brazil Warned Chavez ‘Not to Play’ with U.S. ‘Fire’: El Pais, Spain
Christmas or no Christmas, the WikiLeaks juggernaut marches on. In this report from Juan Jesus Aznarez of Spain's El Pais, a U.S. diplomatic cable has emerged that shows America pressuring Brazil to get Hugo Chavez to 'show more restraint' when speaking of the U.S. and its president, George W. Bush, who Chavez referred to as 'El Diablo [Satan], a 'donkey', an 'alcoholic' and a … [Read more...] about U.S. Cables Show Brazil Warned Chavez ‘Not to Play’ with U.S. ‘Fire’: El Pais, Spain
Plea from OSU Alum: Don’t Appeal NCAA Suspensions
Earlier today, I watched the press conference with Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith and head football coach Jim Tressel. Five Ohio State players have been suspended from playing the first five games of next season by the NCAA. Smith indicated that Ohio State will appeal the penalties. (Another player has been suspended for one game of the 2011 season.) As an Ohio … [Read more...] about Plea from OSU Alum: Don’t Appeal NCAA Suspensions
New Details on Bradley Manning’s Confinement
Recently, an MIT researcher named David House interviewed Army PFC Bradley Manning at the Quantico, Virginia, brig where he has been detained for five months, following two months of confinement in Kuwait. The interview (conducted under severely restrictive conditions, which House describes at the end of the article), contradicts in many important respects the account given by … [Read more...] about New Details on Bradley Manning’s Confinement
Catholic Church Shoots Self in Foot
They could have handled this worse. They could have waited until tomorrow, and turned the sick away on Christmas Eve. The Guardian: The head of the Catholic church in Phoenix has stripped Arizona's largest hospital of its Catholic affiliation after he ruled that a decision to save the life of a mother by terminating her 11-week pregnancy was morally wrong. Bishop Thomas … [Read more...] about Catholic Church Shoots Self in Foot
A New Hero for People Who Like Independent Politicians
There's a new hero for people who like independent politicians. Can you guess who it is? CLICK HERE. … [Read more...] about A New Hero for People Who Like Independent Politicians
Pat Robertson Urges Decriminalization of Marijuana
I never thought I'd see the day when Pat Robertson advocated a more libertarian position on marijuana than most of our politicians, but apparently that day has come. Or as Radley Balko of The Agitator puts it: Remember December 22, 2010 . . . it’s the day Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson took a more sensible, pro-personal freedom position on marijuana than 95 … [Read more...] about Pat Robertson Urges Decriminalization of Marijuana